MLB Fantasy: Two-Start Pitchers for Week 12, Hanson, Oswalt, Leake

Cameron Maybin ’s fall from the elite prospects of fantasy baseball has been rather surprising. Anyone who grabbed the young outfielder expecting him to fulfill his destiny as a five tool Major League stud has to be a little disappointed. He has high strikeout and ground ball rates, meaning he will likely never blossom into a power hitter or a high average guy. His speed and ability to swipe bases will always make him a very useful piece to a Major League team, but to keep him as a centerpiece to your fantasy squad is a waste of a valuable bench spot. Cut bait.

Interleague play continues this week so pay attention to American League designated hitters taking a seat on the bench in National League parks and some National League hitters getting extra at bats as designated hitters if they are playing in American League parks.

Also, all 30 Major League teams play exactly six games this week.

Now, the projected two-start pitchers for this week. For those of you in leagues who require you to set your lineup at the beginning of the week, these are guys you should strongly consider:

1. Tommy Hanson is struggling a little in his sophomore campaign, but most pitchers would like to struggle through a 7-3, 3.38 season. A road matchup against the clueless White Sox followed by a home tilt against the Tigers looks like a very productive week for this young phenom.

2. Roy Oswalt is a little miffed over Houston’s desire to trade him and has plans to show them that he’s not done. With matchups at home versus San Francisco and at Texas, he should be good this week to up his trade value.

3. Mike Leake gets the Athletics in Oakland and then the Indians at home. These two weak offenses should be overmatched by Cincinnati’s young righty.

4. Tommy Hunter is off to a fast start. Home matchups against the Pirates and Astros are the kind of thing that most pitchers dream about. Play this kid with confidence.

5. Wade Davis gets two home matchups against the Padres and Diamondbacks. Neither team is especially good away from home. Davis is better at home than on the road. A hot Rays offense will give Davis all he needs this week.

Not with a ten foot pole—Randy Wells threw 130 pitches on Thursday. Look for him to be tired in his Wednesday outing. Do not to use him. This kind of abuse from a Chicago Cubs manager is something we grew accustomed to when Dusty Baker ran Kerry Wood and Mark Prior into the ground, but with Lou Piniella? No, Wells is not a double-start pitcher, but don’t use him this week even though he is pitching against a weak Seattle offense at spacious Safeco Field.